Cayin RU9 Portable Nutube USB DAC/Head-Amp

CAYIN
SKU:  RU9
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Cayin RU9, Gen5 Vacuum Tube Circuit for Portable Audio (2024)

With the RU9, Cayin has entered the fifth generation of Nutube application. The Gen5 Nutube Timbre circuit features a refined three-stage amplification architecture. Cayin engineers have meticulously designed and fine-tuned the negative feedback (NFB) loops to deliver distinct Nutube 6P1 vacuum tube timbres, while also integrating the Dual Tube Timbre feature first introduced in Gen3—offering users a seamless blend of dual tube warmth and solid-state precision.

Switchable Output: Classic / Modern / Solid State

Both 3.5mm and 4.4mm PO/LO outputs support two switchable Tube Timbres and a Solid-State Timbre.

  • Classic Tube Timbre: No large-loop NFB; each stage operates independently through local feedback, and the overall gain determined by the cumulative gain of each stage. Distortion characteristics closely resemble classic tube amplifier, resulting in a higher THD value. The sound signature exhibit a classic vacuum tube amplifier, with relatively more thermal noise and a richer presentation. 
  • Modern Tube Timbre: A large-loop NFB circuit will determine the total gain. By incorporating NFB over multiple amplification stages, the THD will be reduced significantly.
    The harmonic distortion characteristics and sound signature lean more towards a modern style, with greatly reduced thermal noise and a slightly cleaner tube sound.
  • Solid-state Timbre: Built with op-amps and precision-tuned peripheral circuits. Delivers accurate resolution, fast dynamics, and neutral tonality.
Anti-Vibration System

Custom-designed anti-vibration module for the Nutube tube, featuring an FPC flexible PCB, a custom silicone damping sleeve, and a pin suspension system. Engineered to eliminate microphonic interference.

Hyper Mode

Hyper Mode is automatically activated under DC Mode.

It further increases the amplifier's quiescent current and operating voltage, offering greater clarity, expansive soundstage, and punchier dynamics.

Triple Power Modes

The Cayin RU9 offers three flexible power modes to suit a wide range of usage scenarios. Whether you're on the go or chasing peak performance, choose between:

  • When USB IN is connected: Dongle Mode - ideal for compact "dongle-style" use.
  • When POWER is connected:
    Battery Mode - system runs primarily on USB power, with internal battery providing backup support.
    DC Mode - full external power delivery with direct routing to the amplifier circuit, automatically activates Hyper Mode for maximum output.

Supports QC3.0 and PD2.0 fast charging protocols.

Thoughtful Design

The Cayin RU9 features a magnetic attachment system, seamlessly attaching to compatible smartphones and tablets. A magnetic adapter ring and a custom magnetic leather case is included, handcrafted with precise cutouts.

Also included is an L-shaped USB interconnect cable. Shielded with a braided design for reduced signal loss.


Frequently Asked Questions

The RU9 offers three timbre modes you can switch between on the fly. Classic Tube delivers the rich, dense, warm sound traditional tube fans love. Modern Tube is a cleaner, slightly brighter take that keeps the smoothness of tubes while adding a touch more refinement. Solid State bypasses the tube entirely, using op-amps for a neutral, fast, and accurate sound signature. All three modes are available from both the 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs.

Hyper Mode is a special high-performance setting that becomes available when the RU9 is connected to an external DC power supply. It increases the amplifier's operating current and voltage, pushing balanced output up to 1000mW per channel at 32Ω — enough to drive demanding full-sized headphones with authority. It does generate more heat than normal operation, so it's best used at a desk rather than on the go. For most IEMs and portable headphones, standard battery or USB power will be more than sufficient.

Via USB, the RU9 decodes PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD up to DSD512, handled by the XMOS XU316 16-core processor and dual AK4493SEQ DAC chips running in mono mode. Over Bluetooth 5.1 it supports LDAC, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, AAC, and SBC. The S/PDIF input (shared with the 3.5mm port) supports up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM for connecting CD transports or external sources.

The built-in 2000mAh battery provides up to 4.7 hours of playback, though real-world use with the balanced output and tube modes at higher volumes is typically closer to 3–4 hours. Yes, you can listen continuously while charging — the RU9 supports QC and PD fast charging via its dedicated power USB-C port, separate from the data port. You can also run it in USB power mode directly from your phone or laptop, which bypasses the battery entirely and keeps it from draining.

Yes — the RU9 is unusually powerful for its size. The balanced 4.4mm output delivers 1000mW per channel at 32Ω and 1170mW at 16Ω in Hyper Mode, while the single-ended 3.5mm output puts out 420mW at 32Ω. This is more than enough to drive demanding full-sized planar magnetic and dynamic headphones with high impedance loads. For the most power-hungry headphones, using Hyper Mode with an external DC supply will give the best results.

Product Inclusions

  • Cayin RU9
  • USB-C to USB-A adapter
  • USB-C to USB-C cable (short)
  • Pleather cover with magsafe compatibility
  • Documentation

Specifications

RU9 Product Information

Tube:

KORG Nutube 6P1

DAC Chip:

AK4493SEQ × 2

Charge Port:

USB Type-C (QC3.0/PD2.0)

USB Processor:

XMOS XU316

Bluetooth Processor:

QCC5125

Battery:

2000mAh, 3.85V / 7.7Wh Lithium Polymer Battery

Dimension:

100*70*15 (mm)

Weight:

150g (±5g)

 

RU9 Battery and Duration

 

3.5mm PO/LO

4.4mm PO/LO

 

Solid-state

Vacuum Tube

Solid-state

Vacuum Tube

Battery Duration

4.7 hrs

3.5 hrs

4.3 hrs

3.1 hrs

Charging Condition

QC3.0 / PD2.0

Charging Time

1.3 hr.

Note: Test conditions are based on pure battery mode (source playing 44.1kHz audio, 32 ohm load, high gain, volume level at 30). Since battery life is affected by factors such as device status and usage environment, the data provided is for reference only.

 

RU9 3.5mm PO Output

Specification

Solid-State Timbre

Classic Tube Timbre

Modern Tube Timbre

Output Power @ 32Ω

310mW+310mW (BAT)
420mW+420mW (DC)
(RL=32Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤0.5%)

310mW+310mW (BAT)
420mW+420mW (DC)
(RL=32Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤3.1%)

310mW+310mW (BAT)
420mW+420mW (DC)
(RL=32Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤1.6%)

Output Power @ 16Ω

440mW+440mW (BAT)
610mW+610mW (DC)
(RL=16Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤1%)

440mW+440mW (BAT)
610mW+610mW (DC)
(RL=16Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤3.1%)

440mW+440mW (BAT)
610mW+610mW (DC)
(RL=16Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤1%)

Frequency Response

(0.5dB, Fs=192kHz, Sharp)

20Hz~32kHz

20Hz~22kHz

20Hz~32kHz

THD+N

(1KHz, Fs=192KHz, A-weight,
20Hz-20kHz, Output: 0.5V)

≤0.008%

≤3.0%

≤0.6%

Dynamic Range

(1kHz, A-weight, 20Hz-20kHz)

≥119dB

≥105dB

≥115dB

SNR

(1KHz, A-weight, 20Hz-20KHz)

≥118dB

≥104dB

≥114dB

Channel Separation

(RL=320, 1KHz, A-weight)

≥76dB

≥68dB

≥76dB

Gain

H: 0dB / M: -6dB / L: -12dB (Selectable)

Output Impedance

0.5Ω

 

RU9 4.4mm PO Output

Specification

Solid-State Timbre

Classic Tube Timbre

Modern Tube Timbre

Output Power @ 32Ω

620mW+620mW (BAT)
1000mW+1000mW (DC)
(RL=32Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤0.5%)

620mW+620mW (BAT)
1000mW+1000mW (DC)
(RL=32Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤3.1%)

620mW+620mW (BAT)
1000mW+1000mW (DC)
(RL=32Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤1.6%)

Output Power @ 16Ω

730mW+730mW (BAT)
1170mW+1170mW (DC)
(RL=16Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤1%)

730mW+730mW (BAT)
1170mW+1170mW (DC)
(RL=16Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤3.1%)

730mW+730mW (BAT)
1170mW+1170mW (DC)
(RL=16Ω, 1kHz, THD+N≤1%)

Frequency Response

(0.5dB, Fs=192kHz, Sharp)

20Hz~32kHz

20Hz~22kHz

20Hz~32kHz

THD+N

(1KHz, Fs=192KHz, A-weight,
20Hz-20kHz, Output: 0.5V)

≤0.008%

≤3.0%

≤0.6%

Dynamic Range

(1kHz, A-weight, 20Hz-20kHz)

≥119dB

≥105dB

≥115dB

SNR

(1KHz, A-weight, 20Hz-20KHz)

≥118dB

≥104dB

≥114dB

Channel Separation

(RL=320, 1KHz, A-weight)

≥105dB

≥86dB

≥86dB

Gain

H: 0dB / M: -6dB / L: -12dB (Selectable)

Output Impedance

1.0Ω

 

RU9 Digital Input and Output

USB Audio In

Mode

UAC2.0/1.0 (Selectable)

Windows Compatibility

Windows 10 or later (Cayin USB Audio driver may be required)

MAC OS, Android, iOS Compatibility

Driver free

Audio Format Support

PCM: 16-32Bit, 44.1kHz-768kHz (UAC2.0)

DSD: Native DSD64-512, DOP64-256 (UAC2.0)

Bluetooth In

Codec Support

LDAC. aptX HD. apt LL. aptx, AAC, SBC

Bluetooth Version

BT v5.1

S/PDIF In

Audio Format

PCM: 16-24Bit, 44.1KHz-192KHz;

Input Connector

3.5mm Port (shared with S/PDIF Out)

S/PDIF Out


 

Audio Format

PCM: 16-24Bit, 44.1kHz-192KHz

Input Connector

3.5mm Port (shared with S/PDIF In)

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